Elevating Our Spiritual Lives Through Fellowship and Discipline
Summary
### Summary
Today, we embarked on a new series studying the book of 1 John, focusing on the theme of "doing better" in our spiritual lives. John, an apostle and disciple of Jesus, wrote this letter to challenge believers to elevate their thinking and actions. The essence of 1 John chapter 1 is about fellowship—both horizontally with each other and vertically with God. The Greek word "koinonia" encapsulates this idea, meaning to be in agreement and united in purpose. John calls us to live a life of holiness, not by being sinless but by striving to sin less as we grow in Christ.
We discussed the importance of daily disciplines, encapsulated in the acronym "PART B," which stands for Pray And Read The Bible. This simple yet profound practice helps us maintain unity with God and each other. John emphasizes that our actions must align with our words; otherwise, we are living in spiritual darkness. He challenges us to reflect on our spiritual journey and ensure that we are progressing in our faith.
John also addresses the dual nature of sin: our inherent sin nature and our sinful actions. He offers a solution through 1 John 1:9, often referred to as the "Christian bar of soap," which assures us that if we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. This confession is not just a one-time act but a daily practice to keep our relationship with God clear and unblocked.
Finally, we were reminded that our identity in Christ transforms us into new creations. This new identity calls us to live differently, representing not just who we are but whose we are. We are ambassadors of Christ, and our lives should reflect that. The sermon concluded with an invitation for those who have not yet accepted Christ to do so, emphasizing the eternal and immediate benefits of a relationship with Him.
### Key Takeaways
1. Fellowship with God and Each Other: The concept of "koinonia" goes beyond mere social interaction; it calls for unity in purpose and agreement with each other and with God. This deep fellowship is essential for a thriving Christian life. [07:49]
2. Daily Disciplines: The acronym "PART B" (Pray And Read The Bible) serves as a simple yet powerful guide for maintaining our spiritual health. This daily practice helps us stay connected with God and aligned with His will. [12:50]
3. Aligning Actions with Words: John challenges us to ensure that our actions match our professed beliefs. Living in spiritual darkness while claiming to be in fellowship with God is a form of self-deception. We must strive to live out our faith authentically. [19:48]
4. Confession and Forgiveness: 1 John 1:9, the "Christian bar of soap," assures us that God is faithful to forgive our sins if we confess them. This practice keeps our relationship with God clear and unblocked, allowing us to grow in unity with Him. [29:25]
5. New Identity in Christ: Accepting Christ transforms us into new creations, freeing us from our old sin nature. This new identity calls us to live differently, representing Christ in all we do. Our lives should reflect this profound change. [22:29]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[00:28] - Opening Prayer
[00:56] - Introduction and Announcements
[01:24] - Series Introduction: 1 John
[02:26] - Verse by Verse Study Options
[02:54] - Background on John
[04:18] - Theme of 1 John: Do Better
[05:39] - Holiness and Sinless Living
[07:21] - Fellowship: Horizontal and Vertical
[08:15] - Greek Word: Koinonia
[11:46] - Daily Disciplines: PART B
[13:36] - Joy in Fellowship
[18:29] - Light and Darkness
[19:48] - Aligning Actions with Words
[22:29] - New Creation in Christ
[29:25] - Confession and Forgiveness
[34:11] - Invitation to Accept Christ
[38:19] - Celebration and Next Steps
[40:21] - Closing Prayer and Challenge
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. 1 John 1:3-10 - This passage covers the themes of fellowship with God and each other, the importance of living in the light, and the practice of confession and forgiveness.
2. 2 Corinthians 5:17 - "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!"
3. Romans 7:15-20 - Paul's struggle with sin, highlighting the dual nature of sin and the internal conflict believers face.
#### Observation Questions
1. What does the Greek word "koinonia" mean, and how does it relate to our fellowship with God and each other? [09:17]
2. What is the significance of the acronym "PART B" in maintaining our spiritual health? [12:50]
3. According to 1 John 1:9, what happens when we confess our sins to God? [29:25]
4. How does John describe the relationship between our actions and our professed beliefs in 1 John 1:6? [19:48]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of "koinonia" challenge our current understanding of fellowship within the church? [09:17]
2. Why is it important for our actions to align with our words, according to John? What are the consequences of failing to do so? [19:48]
3. How does the practice of daily confession, as described in 1 John 1:9, help maintain our relationship with God? [29:25]
4. In what ways does our new identity in Christ, as described in 2 Corinthians 5:17, call us to live differently? [22:29]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current fellowship with other believers. Are there areas where you need to improve your "koinonia" with others? How can you take steps to be more united in purpose and agreement? [09:17]
2. How consistent are you with the daily disciplines of praying and reading the Bible (PART B)? What changes can you make to ensure this becomes a regular part of your routine? [12:50]
3. Think about a time when your actions did not align with your professed beliefs. What steps can you take to ensure your actions reflect your faith more authentically? [19:48]
4. How often do you practice confession and seek forgiveness from God? What impact does this have on your spiritual life and your relationship with God? [29:25]
5. In what ways can you better represent your new identity in Christ in your daily life? Are there specific behaviors or attitudes you need to change to reflect this transformation? [22:29]
6. Identify a specific sin or behavior that you struggle with. How can you apply the principles from 1 John 1:9 to address this issue and seek God's forgiveness and cleansing? [29:25]
7. How can you encourage others in your small group to "do better" in their spiritual lives? What practical steps can you take together to support each other in this journey? [05:14]
Devotional
Day 1: Unity in Purpose and Agreement
Description:
The concept of "koinonia" in 1 John chapter 1 emphasizes the importance of fellowship, both with God and with each other. This fellowship is not merely about social interaction but about being united in purpose and agreement. True fellowship involves a deep connection that aligns our hearts and minds with God's will and with the community of believers. This unity is essential for a thriving Christian life, as it fosters mutual support, accountability, and spiritual growth.
John's call to live a life of holiness is rooted in this fellowship. As we strive to sin less and grow in Christ, our unity with God and each other strengthens. This unity is a powerful testimony to the world of God's love and grace. By living in agreement and purpose, we reflect the character of Christ and draw others into this transformative fellowship. [07:49]
Bible Passage:
"Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves." (1 Thessalonians 5:11-13, ESV)
Reflection:
Think of a relationship in your life where there is a lack of unity or agreement. How can you take a step today to foster deeper fellowship and unity in that relationship?
Day 2: Daily Spiritual Disciplines
Description:
The acronym "PART B" (Pray And Read The Bible) serves as a simple yet powerful guide for maintaining our spiritual health. This daily practice helps us stay connected with God and aligned with His will. By dedicating time each day to prayer and Bible reading, we cultivate a deeper relationship with God and gain the spiritual nourishment needed to navigate life's challenges.
John emphasizes that our actions must align with our words. Engaging in daily spiritual disciplines ensures that we are not merely professing our faith but living it out authentically. This practice helps us grow in our understanding of God's Word and strengthens our ability to live according to His principles. As we commit to "PART B," we experience the joy and peace that come from a consistent and intimate walk with God. [12:50]
Bible Passage:
"But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers." (Psalm 1:2-3, ESV)
Reflection:
What specific time and place can you set aside each day for prayer and Bible reading? How can you make this a non-negotiable part of your daily routine starting today?
Day 3: Authentic Living
Description:
John challenges believers to ensure that their actions match their professed beliefs. Living in spiritual darkness while claiming to be in fellowship with God is a form of self-deception. Authentic living requires that our actions reflect the faith we profess. This means being honest with ourselves and others about our struggles and striving to live in a way that honors God.
Authenticity in our spiritual journey involves regular self-reflection and a willingness to make necessary changes. It requires us to be transparent and accountable within our community of believers. By aligning our actions with our words, we demonstrate the transformative power of the Gospel and inspire others to pursue a genuine relationship with God. [19:48]
Bible Passage:
"Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness. Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling." (1 John 2:9-10, ESV)
Reflection:
Identify an area in your life where your actions do not align with your professed beliefs. What steps can you take today to bring your actions in line with your faith?
Day 4: Confession and Forgiveness
Description:
1 John 1:9, often referred to as the "Christian bar of soap," assures us that if we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. This practice of confession is not just a one-time act but a daily discipline that keeps our relationship with God clear and unblocked. Regular confession allows us to acknowledge our shortcomings and receive God's grace and forgiveness.
Confession is a vital aspect of spiritual growth. It humbles us and reminds us of our dependence on God's mercy. By confessing our sins, we open ourselves to God's transformative work in our lives, allowing Him to cleanse us and make us more like Christ. This ongoing process of confession and forgiveness strengthens our fellowship with God and empowers us to live in His light. [29:25]
Bible Passage:
"Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working." (James 5:16, ESV)
Reflection:
Take a moment to reflect on any unconfessed sins in your life. How can you make confession a regular part of your daily spiritual practice, and who can you trust to hold you accountable in this journey?
Day 5: New Identity in Christ
Description:
Accepting Christ transforms us into new creations, freeing us from our old sin nature. This new identity calls us to live differently, representing Christ in all we do. Our lives should reflect this profound change, demonstrating the love, grace, and truth of Jesus to the world around us.
As new creations in Christ, we are called to be His ambassadors, living in a way that honors Him and draws others to Him. This transformation is not just about a change in behavior but a change in our very nature. We are no longer defined by our past sins but by our new identity in Christ. Embracing this new identity empowers us to live with purpose and passion, fulfilling God's calling on our lives. [22:29]
Bible Passage:
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation." (2 Corinthians 5:17-18, ESV)
Reflection:
Reflect on how your new identity in Christ has changed your perspective and actions. What is one specific way you can represent Christ in your daily life today?
Quotes
1. "Holiness is not, you know, some people think holiness is shaving your head, climbing up on a mountain, putting on a robe and sitting home. You know, that's not what holiness is. And we learned that during that series, that holiness is living separate from the world that we are called to live a separate life lifestyle than the world. And so it doesn't mean perfection. It doesn't mean that we're sinless, but here's catch this play on words. You're going to love it. It doesn't mean we're, we're sinless. It means as we grow in Christ, we want to sin less." [06:02] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Usually it's Christians that give Christianity a bad name. I'm going to say that again. Usually it's us as believers, Christians who give Christianity a bad name. That's a hard truth to understand because people who don't read the Bible, read the people who read the Bible. They read us. They read our reactions. They read how we respond to stuff. Let me say this. They read what we post. They read what we post online. Pastor always says, don't let your Facebook become your disgrace book." [10:15] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "How do we have fellowship? How do we grow in our relationship with the Lord? How do we make good decisions? How do we not let our sin nature be who we are identified with, but we're identified in our son nature. How do we do that? How do we grow in that unity with him? Part B good and feel good now everybody understand? No, of course you don't. Cause you don't know what part B means. All right, you ready for you? Note takers. Here's what it means. P A R T B pray and read the Bible, pray and read the Bible. Super simple." [12:50] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "We are not sinners because we sin. We sin because we're sinners. I don't remember if I said that earlier, so I'll say it again. We're not sinners because we sin. We sin because we're sinners. We're naturally sinners. We are just born separated from the Lord. That's what verse eight is talking about. Verse 10 is talking about our sin actions. Lying, pride, self-righteousness, deceit, insecurities, guilt, regret, all of these things that are from the enemy. Those are things that we do because of our sin nature." [28:10] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "We are not saved, we are sinners. We are identified by our sin. And what he says is, if, if, somebody say if. If. If we confess that we're a sinner in need of a savior, then he will, he is faithful and just and will cleanse us of all unrighteousness. That means all of our sin. As far as the east is from the west, our past, present and future, he's creating in us a new creation. We are no longer identified by our sin. We are identified by the son, Jesus Christ. Who's thankful for that?" [34:11] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "We have to admit it though. We have to understand that God did for us what we couldn't do for ourselves so that we could have what we don't deserve. We don't deserve an eternity with him. An eternity spent with the father. Second Corinthians promises us this, that our very last breath on earth in Christ, our very last breath on earth, we can be sure that our very next breath will be in the presence of the Lord. We have an eternity with him waiting for us, but that's not all. He didn't just save us just for eternity. He saved us for the here and now, because he's got a plan for us that we can live out today." [34:50] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "We are representing the creator. The one who spoke, let there be light. And there was light. The one who said, hey, let the oceans team with fish. Let the sky team with birds. Let the ground produce vegetation. The creator, we represent the creator. That's pretty awesome that we have a relationship with the creator God. We represent the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords. We represent the ultimate authority on planet earth. And the Bible says, says this, that Jesus is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." [24:59] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "We need to recognize God's a friend that sticks closer than a brother in that we can go to him with anything, but he's not our hangout homie buddy that we're going to chill with on Friday nights. What up JC? Let's go chill. But so many times we treat God as our buddy and that's not it. We are representing the King of Kings. We are representing creation. We are entering into Jesus. Dude, I love that, is that weird. It's that kind of guy that's not. Okay. I'm forget that you got here onomy. I know it was funny at first, but I'm not, you know, to live separate from the world." [25:30] (59 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "We have a responsibility to respond. Do you believe that Jesus came and died on the cross, took his sins on himself? Chapter two in 1 John will talk about being the propitiation that he took our sins on himself. He died, was buried three days later. He rose again, proving that the sins of who we are has no power over him. That he has overcome the power of death and the grave, the power of sin. We put our faith and trust in him, invite him into our life. We are now identified with him." [35:19] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "We have a sin nature. We have a nature that we're born into that. We just naturally are sinners. And so we want to try to curb that as much as we can with our actions and sin less. But that sin nature gets in the way of it. Sometimes doesn't it? We know what we want to do. As Paul says in Romans chapter seven, man, I know what I want to do and what I should do, but I kind of just keep doing the opposite. Anyway, we always, we all have that." [06:53] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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